Chapter 2-
Harry's time and summer was really passing quickly, between Order meetings and spending time with his friends now floo-ing wasn't a problem Harry spent many days and nights at The Burrow. Hermione stayed with Harry for a few nights and he spent a lot of time with his godfather, including shopping for his school supplies and having days out and about in both magical and muggle London. Harry and Sirius would talk for hours about his parents and the Marauder's growing up, Harry felt for the first time in his life like he was getting to know his parents. Remus would join them often, in between his missions that the order sent him, which made him uncontactable for days at a time. Harry knew those were the days when Sirius wasn't himself; he would be quiet and nervous preferring to stay in Grimmauld Place and wait to hear news from Remus. Not long after Remus was due to arrive back, Harry and Sirius were waiting with his favourite dinner cooked, steaks rare for him, chips and salad with chocolate mousse for dessert when Remus didn't show. Hours later Dumbledore was with them asking if they had heard from Remus as he had not, Remus had failed to check in with Dumbledore earlier in the week. Sirius started pacing the room, which helped his anxiety a little before Dumbledore left stating that if Remus appears to notify him immediately. Harry slept roughly that night and come morning found his godfather asleep on the lounge in front of the fire as if he had waited up for Remus to appear through the floo network. Harry made the both breakfast then gentle woke the older man. Sirius ate quietly before Harry broke the silence, speaking softly
"You love him don't you?" Sirius snorted on his tea he was drinking, choking for several moments before looking at Harry with steely watering eyes questionly
"Sorry Harry?" doubt and fear staring back at Harry.
"You love him, don't you? I can see it Sirius and I can see it in the old photos you have shown me. You love him!"
Sirius sighed and with a quaking voice answered simply
"Yes, all my life" Harry smiled reassuringly at him and nodded
"Why didn't you tell me, you know I wouldn't of thought different of you right? I mean you're my godfather and I don't care whether you were gay or straight"
"Thank you Harry" He answered softly "But it isn't a matter of tell you, there is nothing to tell" avoiding the green eyes he stared at the tabletop.
"He doesn't know?"
"No"
"What! Your Sirius Black famous Hogwarts charmer and womanizer"
Sirius gave a humorless laugh
"Exactly, the infamous man whore Sirius Black fell in love with him best friend and werewolf. Remus would never believe me or take me seriously, he use to joke that I was incapable of love and that I could ever be with someone for than a few months because I would get bored"
"You never dated anyone for long or get attached because." harry started
"They weren't Remus, yeah" Sirius finished
Harry stood up and pulled his godfather up into a firm hug.
"I'm sorry I'm such a mess Harry, I worry about him. He's doing dangerous work with dark creatures that aren't anything like him. He might be a werewolf but nothing about Rem is dark or evil and I worry until he's back again"
They spent the day cleaning; they spent the next set up Remus's room for his return and the next two trying to pass the time waiting anxiety for Remus to come through the floo, which he did not.
Another Order meeting arrived with the house filling up with members all of which were asking after and concerned about Remus. Harry looked at the members, most of the Weasleys including Charlie were seated, McGonagall, Tonks, Moody, Hestia Jones and Kingsley Shacklebolt also filled the basement kitchen, they sat down after the meeting for a serving of Molly's apple crumble, Harry had the spoon to his mouth before an patronus appeared, the small dragon flew in front of Dumbledore before a female voice spoke
"Albus, I have received a letter from him I will come through the floo in a moment unless I hear otherwise" Harry assumed the him was Remus and hurried after Sirius as he rushed into the lounge room and fireplace.
The fire turned green and Harry was surprise by the woman who stepped through. She was young, early twenties he guessed. She was short at 5ft 2 inches with a figure that Harry could only think to call "Curvy" She womanly shaped, with a natural pale perfection that looked sun kissed from working outside and had several dirty marks on her neck. She had large hazel eyes with long blonde/brown hair that fell to the base of her shoulder blades almost completely straight. She was dressed oddly, in white tank top rust orange wrap around skirt that reach just above her knees and muddy black gumboots. She walked over to Dumbledore, raised herself onto her toes and kissed him on the cheek
"Albus, the letter just arrived and I haven't opened it yet"
"A ever wise room my dear. A would suggest we read it quietly but everyone" he glanced around to the now full room "is most eager to hear from Remus. Would you read it out for us all"
The woman glanced around nervously then nodded, she cleared her throat and opened the battered and crumpled letter
"Dearest,
I cannot tell you much but I know you must be sick with worry. I am safe for now and I am trying to make my way back. Things did not go well and I have had to recover before I could travel, I will be home shortly darling if everything goes well, I will be at Padfoots first. Pass word on to our friend's. I will not have a chance to send word again but I will try to be home as soon as I can.
With love
Xoxo"
Harry had watched Sirius with great concern as the letter was read and Harry's heart sank for Sirius when the woman read the words 'Dearest, darling and with love'
The woman seemed overcome with emotions and took several steps back sniffing and wiping her eyes, she made a muffled sob, tears starting falling from her eyes and she went to sit down. She said down on top of Charlie, who looked startled, she kept crying and curled herself up onto Charlie's lap, sobbing quietly into Charlie's t-shirt as Charlie quietly and gently placed both arms around the mystery girl rubbing small circles in her back.
Dumbledore spoke, directing all members
"Remus's mission clearly has been comprised. And we are all concerned for his safety but we have been unable to locate or contact him before now. Thank you Edwina for bring us the letter" He offered his hand to the woman now named Edwina, who stood next to Dumbledore obediently
"This is Edwina Lupin" Sirius closed his eyes suddenly clearly in pain causing Harry to take hold of his hand supportively.
"Edwina is Remus's niece" The steely eyes popped open as quickly as they had closed
"Edwina has lived with Remus since she was a small child though technically as far as the ministry is concern doesn't" Confusion sounded on most of the member's faces
"Why?" Asked Tonks who was looking at Edwina with harsh eyes before Edwina answered
"Werewolves are not allowed to adopt or be a child's guardian. They are rarely allowed to keep there own children if they lucky enough to have any. They cannot marry or purchase property. The ministry doesn't acknowledge Remus legally as even my Uncle let alone guardian or even my adoptive father who he is" She spoke directly eying Tonks off before turning to face everyone in the room
"Papa has told me about you all, Sirius?" She asked looking at Sirius and walked over as Sirius stood taken hold of the hand Harry had released
Sirius looked at the woman
"Sirius I feel like I have known you as long as I have known Papa he use to tell me stories of the marauders at bedtime and I feel like I know you so well and have always called you oncle. Papa always comes here after his missions and I am begging you please can I stay here until he returns?" She asked with tears in her eyes
Sirius answered in a gruff uneven voice
"Of course, Edwina, Remus spoke of you constantly. You are more than welcome here" Edwina threw herself into Sirius's chest and held on tightly
"It is time for us to leave, goodnight everyone" Dumbledore announced and the Order quickly dispersed either by floo or out the front door to apparate.
All that remained were Sirius, Remus, Charlie and Harry; Charlie had a late night shift for the order in London so instead of aparrating in and out he occasionally crashed at Grimmauld Place. Edwina faced Harry with tears streaming down her face
"I'm sorry Harry, please don't think I'm stealing your godfather away from you, I will be out of here once Papa comes home"
Harry smiled at the newcomer who was so concerned about ruffling feathers.
"Your worried about your Dad, I am worried about him too. Your welcome here anytime just like your Dad is Edwina" Harry smiled
"Call me Ed or Eddie, Papa only called me Edwina when he's angry with me"
"Okay Eddie, tea?" Sirius asks offering her his arm in fake chivalry.
"Oh Merlin yes, thought you'd never ask" She chuckled taking his arm walking out with Sirius who started strutting causing her to let out a giggle before swinging her hip and joining him in a strut to the kitchen. Harry has left before him and no one had noticed Charlie whose eyes were glued to Eddie's behind as she wiggled out of the lounge room and into the kitchen. He shook his head, grinned to himself then joined the small party in the kitchen.